Page 102

He shrugged like he wasn’t impressed but Krew was grinning next to him.

“She’d like to have some of the other consorts in here to play a hand of cards some afternoon. Do you care?” Owen asked as he spun toward him.

“Not at all,” Krew shook his head. “Sounds fun.”

“Tomorrow?” Owen asked me.

I gave him a nod and moved my hand from the door. “Sure, why?”

He motioned with a hand and the orbs all fell. “I should go tell the other women’s guards. Who is it you want to come?”

“Renna and Molly.” I paused. “And Nara.” Another pause as I wrinkled my nose. “And Gwen too, I suppose.”

Owen shrugged. “I don’t care. If you don’t want to invite her, don’t.”

I shrugged with him. “I don’t really care either. I just like Molly and Renna best.”

“Rude,” Krew muttered.

I sent him a faux glare.

“So Nara and Gwen too?” Owen asked.

“If they’ll come,” I amended. “Cards are more fun with more people.”

He turned to Krew. “Can you walk her back up while I go organize that? Give me thirty minutes?”

“Absolutely. I was just coming to see at what time you two would like the bacon that I owe you to arrive this morning.”

That had Owen perking up. “Do not let it arrive until I get back.”

“I won’t eat it all. I’d save some,” I offered.

“I trust you, honey.” Owen pointed at Krew. “It is him that I don’t. He will eat it all.”

Krew neither confirmed nor denied it, he just gave a slight shrug.

Owen shook his head laughing as he headed for the door.

“Thanks!” I hollered at his back.

After the door shut, I took two steps toward Krew but then there was a navy orb directly in my way.

Standing with his back in the beam of sun angling in the window, I hadn’t even noticed him move his hand.

“My turn.”

The playfulness in his voice had me smiling.

“Don’t you need more orbs?” I asked, but then I took a step to the right around the first orb, and another appeared next to me.

On and on it went. I’d move, he’d put them in my path. It wasn’t until I was within an arm’s reach that I noticed he had somehow maneuvered the orbs so they brought me right to him.

“Well played,” I said with a laugh as three orbs of decent size surrounded me. The only direction I could now move was forward. Closer to him.

I took a small step forward.

Krew pointed his finger and the orbs moved in. His eyebrows went up expectantly.